Advances in molecular and cell biology have led to the development of a range of techniques for manipulating genomes, collectively termed "biotechnology". Although much of the focus in the plant sciences has been on the direct manipulation of plant genomes, biotechnology has also catalyzed a renewed emphasis on the importance of biological and genetic diversity and its conservation. The methods of biotechnology now permit a more rapid and deeper understanding of both species and genetic diversity in plants, the mechanisms by which that variation is generated in nature, and the significance of that variation in the adapation of plants to their environment. They allow the development of rapid methods for screening germplasm for specific characters, including the presence of disease-causing organisms, and they promote more effective conservation strategies by defining the extent of genetic diversity. Tissue-cultured techniques are available for conserving germplasm that cannot be maintained by more traditional methods.
The information stemming from these technologies is increasingly underpinned by sophisticated informatics systems which enable information on plant genetics and molecular biology to be cross-related to systematic, ecological and other data through international networks. This book illustrates the application of these technologies in the various areas of plant genetic resources work and to evaluate their actual or potential impact. The book is not intended to be a manual of techniques although developing methodologies are outlined as appropriate.
Industry Reviews
"Explores a number ways that of techniques for [sic] that have been developed for manipulating genomes can be applied in assessing, conserving, and using plant genetic variation. The topics include population structure and conservation, rice as a case study of molecular markers and managing genetic resources in seed gene banks, DNA banking, plant breeding, germplasm health and quarantine, biodiversity for bio- industries, and internet resources. Addressed to scientists in biodiversity and germplasm conservation, crop improvement, museums and herbaria, genetics, taxonomy, molecular biology, and ecology."--SciTech Book News "Explores a number ways that of techniques for [sic] that have been developed for manipulating genomes can be applied in assessing, conserving, and using plant genetic variation. The topics include population structure and conservation, rice as a case study of molecular markers and managing genetic resources in seed gene banks, DNA banking, plant breeding, germplasm health and quarantine, biodiversity for bio- industries, and internet resources. Addressed to scientists in biodiversity and germplasm conservation, crop improvement, museums and herbaria, genetics, taxonomy, molecular biology, and ecology."--SciTech Book News "Explores a number ways that of techniques for [sic] that have been developed for manipulating genomes can be applied in assessing, conserving, and using plant genetic variation. The topics include population structure and conservation, rice as a case study of molecular markers and managing genetic
resources in seed gene banks, DNA banking, plant breeding, germplasm health and quarantine, biodiversity for bio- industries, and internet resources. Addressed to scientists in biodiversity and germplasm conservation, crop improvement, museums and herbaria, genetics, taxonomy, molecular biology, and
ecology."--SciTech Book News "Explores a number ways that of techniques for [sic] that have been developed for manipulating genomes can be applied in assessing, conserving, and using plant genetic variation. The topics include population structure and conservation, rice as a case study of molecular markers and managing genetic
resources in seed gene banks, DNA banking, plant breeding, germplasm health and quarantine, biodiversity for bio- industries, and internet resources. Addressed to scientists in biodiversity and germplasm conservation, crop improvement, museums and herbaria, genetics, taxonomy, molecular biology, and
ecology."--SciTech Book News "Explores a number ways that of techniques for �sic� that have been developed for manipulating genomes can be applied in assessing, conserving, and using plant genetic variation. The topics include population structure and conservation, rice as a case study of molecular markers and managing genetic
resources in seed gene banks, DNA banking, plant breeding, germplasm health and quarantine, biodiversity for bio- industries, and internet resources. Addressed to scientists in biodiversity and germplasm conservation, crop improvement, museums and herbaria, genetics, taxonomy, molecular biology, and
ecology."--SciTech Book News